Real Deal

Hudson Mohawke at U Street Music HallTuesday, July 16

By Dan Singer •
July 12, 2013

Scottish DJ prodigy Hudson Mohawke has grown up since he was named the youngest-ever finalist for the United Kingdom’s DMC DJ Championship at age 15, performing under the moniker DJ Itchy. Now, at 27, he’s picked up a slightly less awkward pseudonym and matured into a legitimate producer. TNGHT, his project with Canadian producer Lunice, earned praise for its minimalist, forward-thinking EP last summer—and caught the ever-searching eye of Kanye West. Mohawke landed production credits on West’s G.O.O.D. Music compilation Cruel Summer, then on the egomaniacal hip-hop artist’s chart-topping Yeezus. Mohawke told Pitchfork that he “died and was resuscitated” during the breakneck Yeezus sessions, but he still found time to work on a new solo album, which he plans to release later this year. Amid all the recording and promotion, he’s still touring the world and playing festivals with Lunice. Exhausting, maybe, but naps are for kids.